Hurray for the Riff Raff

The music of Hurray for the Riff Raff feels like a worn-in denim jacket that has seen every state line in the country. It carries the dust of the road and the humidity of New Orleans, grounded by a voice that is both weathered and remarkably clear. There is a deep sense of place here, though that place is often shifting between the concrete of the Bronx and the swampy heat of the South.

Alynda Segarra’s songwriting is distinctive for its radical empathy and sharp cultural eye. They take the traditional bones of folk and country and flesh them out with a punk-rock spirit and a queer, Nuyorican perspective. The arrangements often feel like a live band playing in a room with high ceilings, where the reverb is natural and the emotions are unvarnished.

Start with 'The Navigator' if you want a sweeping, cinematic concept album about identity and home, or dive into 'Small Town Heroes' for a more intimate, classic folk-blues experience. It is music that demands your attention but rewards you with a profound sense of companionship.